Glock 21 .45ACP and Reloading

[dihnen]

I'm thinking of getting a new Glock 21, and I've heard that brass shouldn't be reloaded after being fired through this gun because the chamber doesn't fully support the case. I'd like to reload since .45 ammo is so expensive. Should I consider another gun? Or is the unsupported concern an urban legend?

Thanks in advance for your experience and expertise,
Dave

 

[idahoglock36]

I shoot a 21 all the time with reloads. Never a problem....I think I have had one split case in 15k rounds....and most of the brass was used when I got it. I almost exclusively shoot lead in it as well. My favorite load so far is the 200-MBC RNFP with 5.8 Unique.

I don't think you will have a problem.....45 is lower pressure, the brass lasts forever and I have never had a problem even with lead.

You will love the G-21 goes bang every time.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've loaded for a 2nd generation Glock 21 and never had any trouble, but I don't load to full pressure, just soft target loads.
My problem with the 21 is that it was rather sensitive about accuracy with both hand loads and factory ammo.
IMO, the Sig P220 and the HK USP are much more ammo tolerant and shoot a wider variety of loads with accuracy and reliability.
The Glock 21 is a good gun, but not the best range gun for the handloader.

 

[evan price]

Urban legend. The 45 acp is a very low pressure cartridge. You're thinking about the Glock 20, which is 10mm, or the 22/23 in 40 S&W. The early models "so they say" had less support at the feed ramp and "could" cause bulges in the brass or case failures. I have owned several Glocks including a very early 21, one of the first ones imported in the early 90s (still own it), and I've never ever had any problems whatsoever with the brass. For that matter, I've never seen brass that was so bulged it would not resize even in 40's. I'm sure it's possible, but it is not the problem Teh Intarnetts seems to believe it is.

 

[marchboom]

Every auto pistol (to my knowledge) has an unsupported portion of the chamber. If it didn't the rounds wouldn't feed into the chamber. I have loaded lead bullets for my 1994 circa Glock 21 for years with no problems.

The problems come from someone who loads lead bullets using jacketed bullet loading data. Don't "hot rod" lead bullets! Run a bronze brush thru the barrel every 50 rounds or so and that will keep leading to a minimum.

Might even consider getting an aftermarket barrel with standard cut rifling. Lead bullets work better in this type of barrel.

 

[Sapper771]

I have reloaded for my G21 for a few years. No problems at all.
I was using plated bullets, then went to moly coated lead bullets to save money. I prefer Black Bullet International 230gr LRN.

I did end up getting an aftermarket barrel from lone wolf to make clean up a little easier. The only issue with the lone wolf barrel is its abrupt leade in the chamber, which is not very ogive friendly (depending on the bullet).

 

[dihnen]

Thank you, everybody, for the info, it really helps!